About the study 

This study aim to optimize and evaluate an indicated preventive intervention for children aged  8 to 12 years who show symptoms of anxiety and/ or depression. In school-based groups, children learn different coping skills and strategies.

Many children have anxious and sad feelings. These children tend to be more reluctant to participate in activities, worry and a have general feeling of sadness. Children with such challenges also tend to have more difficulties related to school attendance and social relations. Furthermore, children showing symptoms of anxiety and depression are at higher risk of developing a clinical disorder later on.

In a previous study named TIM (Tidlig intervensjon - Mestrende barn) we investigate if children with elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression would benefit from attending Coping Kids (Mestrende Barn) groups. In this particularly study, we will compare the standard version of the Coping Kids program to a shorter and more digitalized version of the program. In addition, Virtual Reality (VR) is incorporated as a platform for the children to face and overcome situations they fear or avoid in their everyday life. Also, a Measurement Feedback System (MFS) will be tried out to see if regularly feedback about the children’s well-being can improve outcome of the intervention.  

The Echo study runs from 2019 to 2024. In year 2020 and 2022, the intervention will be carried out in the participating schools, which includes a total of 50 schools all over Norway.